A gymnastics club which was given a whole new lease of life has made a triumphant return to its original home and delighted its founder.

A gymnastics club which was given a whole new lease of life has made a triumphant return to its original home and delighted its founder.

Brian Duley, 63, is manager of Judge Heath Gymnastics Club, so called because he formed it at Hayes Stadium in Judge Heath Lane in 1990.

However, for the last nine years the connection has existed in name only, as the club was forced to use Swakeleys School, in Clifton Gardens, Hillingdon, for holding classes.

That all ended on Tuesday last week, when JHGC returned to Hayes Stadium, prompting an overjoyed Mr Duley to look to the future with renewed enthusiasm.

Speaking to the Gazette shortly after the return, Mr Duley said: "The last few months have been difficult but it all seems worth it now we are back home.

"We learnt about the return in July, a time when we had struggled to attract members and were losing coaches."

The plan to return JHGC to Hayes was revealed by Hillingdon Council leader, Councillor Ray Puddifoot. Mr Duley said: "He was literally my Ray of sunshine!

"We closed for the summer in August and spent all the time preparing for this move. The council have been absolutely brilliant and have replaced rusted equipment and added storage space for us at the stadium.

"I feel so invigorated by all this; for so long we've felt we were in the shadow of Hillingdon School of Gymnastics - no disrespect to anyone - but now we can emerge and become the community resource I always wanted us to be.

"At the moment we only take girls but with immediate effect I want to start taking boys. Hopefully adult and senior citizen classes will come along in the future too, and we will form closer bonds with local schools.

"In the meantime, if anyone is interested in joining the club or coming along to see what we do they will be welcome on any Tuesday evening between 5-8pm.

"This is an exciting time for the club which we intend to seize with both hands to bring gymnastics to Hayes and give opportunities to young and old."

And the council is not finished giving Mr Duley good news, as the move back to the stadium is designed to be a stepping stone to the club becoming the first occupants of the gymnastics centre being built at nearby Botwell Green, due to open in 2010.

Mr Puddifoot said: "I am delighted for Brian and the club. This is only the first step in what we expect to be a tremendous facility at Botwell and one the community of Hayes can be proud of."

For more details contact info@judgeheathgc.org and visit www.judgeheathgc.org